I thought a musical was being made

× Hybrid & new media

Image credits ↓Jess Olivieri and Hayley Forward with the Parachutes for Ladies, I thought a musical was being made, 2009, image by Jess Olivieri, Hayley Forward with the Parachutes for Ladies

I knew no one would do anything, no one ever does.

In 1964 Kitty Genovese was stabbed to death in New York City, as 38 people watched from their apartments.

“I thought a musical was being made” is a new public performance by visual artists Jess Olivieri and Hayley Forward, with their ever-changing team of collaborators: the Parachutes for Ladies. The project uses the Genovese case and the myths surrounding it as a jumping-off point, exploring expectation, apathy and the effect that group behaviour has on the individual’s perception of reality.

38 audience members will watch from windowsills far above the crowds, as a series of on-the-street movements are combined with a live soundscape, played through each viewer’s headphones.

The Genovese case sparked a public furore and one of the first media frenzies of our times, generating a modern parable that stretches far beyond the facts. The murder itself was overshadowed by outrage over the inaction of the witnesses, with one witness stating he thought a movie was being made to explain his lack of intervention. In this case, the crowd became a force for disempowerment and ultimate inaction. In the words of Kitty’s killer “I knew no one would do anything, no one ever does.”

NOTEPlease wear comfortable running shoes and note that headphones will be worn for the duration of this performance.And, also note that the dates and times in the printed Festival program have changed.

Artist/s:

About the artist/s:

We are Jess Olivieri (UWS) and Hayley Forward (WAAPA) with the Parachutes for Ladies, our projects traverse the slippery territory between visual art, live art, sound composition, and poorly executed dance.

In a collaboration that has so far spanned 4 years recent projects have been shown at the Optica Festival in Spain, France and Germany, Inflight in Tasmania and as part of the Helen Lempriere Travelling Art Scholarship at Artspace. With support from Australia Council for the Arts Theatre Board, NAVA and Next Wave’s Kickstart program 2010 projects will be shown at the 2010 Next Wave Festival, Tiny Stadiums Festival, West Space and GRANTPIRRIE. 2010 residencies include Future Local Association Group at Bundanon, Fraser Studios and Artspace Gunnery studios in Sydney.

The process of “I thought a musical was being made” is profiled in the current issue of Locksmith Project as well as the accompanying book to the project. For more information about this project or past work visit www.parachutesforladies.com.